Robert M. Charlton Explained

Robert Milledge Charlton
Jr/Sr1:United States Senator
State1:Georgia
Term Start1:May 31, 1852
Term End1:March 3, 1853
Predecessor1:John M. Berrien
Successor1:Robert Toombs
Order2:27th
Office2:mayor of Savannah, Georgia
Term Start2:1839
Term End2:1841
Predecessor2:Matthew Hall McAllister
Successor2:William Thorne Williams
Office3:Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
Term3:1828
Birth Date:19 January 1807
Birth Place:Savannah, Georgia
Death Place:Savannah, Georgia
Party:Democratic

Robert Milledge Charlton (January 19, 1807January 18, 1854) was an American politician and jurist. He served as a Senator representing Georgia from 1852 to 1853.

Charlton was born in Savannah, Georgia, on January 19, 1807, to Thomas Charlton, future two-time mayor of Savannah, and Emily Walter. His mother died before he reached the age of two.[1] A lawyer by training, Charlton served in various positions at the city and state level in addition to his U.S. Senate term. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives (1828), and he was appointed and subsequently elected a judge of the Eastern Circuit of Georgia in 1832. Charlton was also appointed as a United States District Attorney.

He was appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John M. Berrien. Charlton had previously served as the mayor of Savannah from 1839 to 1841. Charlton's father, Thomas Usher Pulaski Charlton, had previously served as the appointed mayor of Savannah in 1815 and again in 1819.

In 1829 Robert Charlton married Margaret Shick. Charlton ward, Savannah and Charlton County, Georgia are named after him. Charlton died in Savannah on January 18, 1854, the day before his 47th birthday, and is buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery in that city.

He was also a slave owner. In 1830, he owned 3 slaves.[2] In 1840, he owned 14 slaves.[3] In 1850, he owned 13 slaves.[4]

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Notes and References

  1. Book: A Standard History of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6 . Lewis Publishing Company . 1917 . 3055.
  2. 1830. Oglethorpe Ward, Savannah, Chatham, Georgia. 6 March 2016.
  3. 1840. Savannah, Chatham, Georgia. 6 March 2016.
  4. 1850 United States Census, Slave Schedules. 1850. District 13, Chatham, Georgia. 6 March 2016.